It’s no secret that the world of web design is constantly changing. What was popular last year may not be so trendy this year, and what’s hot right now may not be so fashionable next year.
This flux can make it difficult for web designers to keep up with the latest trends, but it’s important to do so in order to stay ahead of the competition. Trends like responsive design, flat design, and material design have been around for a few years now and others like dark mode, minimalism, and animated illustrations are becoming increasingly popular, and they show no signs of slowing down.
2023 is sure to bring with it some exciting new looks and features in the world of web design. In this article, we’ll explore 12 web design trends that are expected to be big in 2023. So whether you’re a web designer who wants to stay ahead of the curve or a business owner who wants to ensure your website stays relevant, this article is for you.
Prerequisites of good web design
Responsiveness:
It’s no secret that the world is going mobile. In fact, as of 2019, there are more mobile devices than people on the planet. This presents a huge challenge for businesses and website owners who want to stay visible and accessible to their customers – making sure your website is mobile-friendly is no longer an option, but a necessity. Come 2022, this need has translated to responsiveness across various devices and screen sizes.
Visibility (Bold images, text, etc):
The average person has an attention span of just 8 seconds, which means you have a very limited window to make a good impression. So, it is important that your website is designed in a way that is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Make sure your site uses clear and concise fonts, attractive visuals (photos, videos, infographics, etc.), and a well-organized layout.
Accessibility (Screen readers, etc):
It is important to remember that not everyone interacts with the internet in the same way. Some people may use screen readers or other assistive technologies to access web content. Others may have difficulty using a mouse or keyboard. So, it is important to design your website with these users in mind. Make sure your site is easy to navigate using a keyboard and that all the content is accessible to screen readers.
Navigation (Easy to find what you’re looking for?):
A well-designed website will have a clear and concise navigation system that allows users to quickly and easily find the content they are looking for. Another route you can take is making the navigation interesting and interactive. This will keep users engaged with your site and coming back for more. There are many ways to make navigation more engaging, such as adding animations or using interactive elements, or even making it like a puzzle to figure out.
Web Design Trends for 2022
Typography-centered design
Source: designbombs
Typography-centric content and design have always been popular in the print world but only started to gain traction online in recent years. This is likely due to the increasing popularity of minimalism and flat design, both of which put a focus on clean lines and simple shapes. In a typography-centric design, content takes center stage and everything else falls away into the background.
More text-centric content replacing hero section images and videos are becoming relevant. Designers continue to experiment with ways to make messages more impactful and easier to consume. We’re also seeing a trend towards larger, more impactful typography as a way to grab attention and make a statement. This is likely due in part to the growing popularity of digital signage and other high-resolution displays.
Oversized typography can be used to add visual interest to a page and make key messages more visible. It can also help to break up long blocks of text and add hierarchy to a design. When used sparingly, oversized typography can be an effective way to add some personality to a design.
Rise of the microinteraction
Source: superlist
Designers are starting to pay more attention to microinteractions, and we think this trend will continue to grow in popularity in the coming year. As digital products become more complex, it’s important to focus on the small details that can make a big difference in the overall user experience.
A great example of microinteractions can be found in the new Gmail redesign. In the past, users had to click on the arrow next to the “Compose” button in order to open a new email. Now, there’s a small “+” icon that animates and expands when you hover over it, making it clear that you can create a new email by clicking on it.
Mini-sites
Crafting mini-sites allows you to get very creative with your design and really focus on delivering a specific message or user experience. There are no specific rules or guidelines, except maybe with the accessibility. Instead, you can be experimental with UX design, the navigation, interactions, menus, and even animations.
One of the advantages of mini-sites is that they can be very quick to design and launch. They don’t require a lot of content, which means you can get them up and running quickly. This is perfect for promoting time-sensitive products or services, or for testing out new ideas.
Humor is often a big part of mini-sites. They provide an opportunity to have some fun with your design and really capture attention. Be careful not to overdo it, though – you don’t want your site to be so quirky that it’s off-putting!
Retro Designs – Throwback to the 60’s, 70’s, and 90’s
Source: dribbble
Although incredibly intuitive, the basic layout of most sites has become boring. In order to stand out, some web designers have begun to explore retro web design as an interesting alternative.
This current trend incorporates vintage colors, fonts, and design elements from popular decades such as the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. The overall goal is to take users on a journey down memory lane while still providing them with a functional and visually appealing interface.
While the term “retro” can be used to describe anything from the past, in web design, it generally refers to designs that imitate the styles of older computers and video games. This particular subgenre has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many designers taking inspiration from classic games such as Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Super Mario Bros for their portfolio websites, etc..
Collage Illustrations
Source: dribbble
Collage style web design was popular in the early days of the web, when designers were limited by the technology available to them. Today, with more sophisticated tools and techniques available, collage illustrations are making a comeback as a way to add personality and visual interest to web pages.
When used sparingly, collage illustrations can add depth and dimension to your design. When used too frequently, they can become overwhelming and busy. As with any design element, it’s important to use collage illustrations judiciously to create a balance in your overall design.
The mix of shapes, patterns, and colors afford designers a lot of creative freedom when creating collage illustrations. When used effectively, they can add a touch of whimsy or playfulness to your design. Collage illustrations can be created using a variety of techniques, including hand-drawing, digital painting, and photo manipulation. Whichever technique you choose, the key is to create an overall cohesive design.
Burst of color and clutter
Source: wholegraindigital
One of the most striking things about the abovementioned collage illustrations is their ability to pack a lot of visual information into a small space. This can be both good and bad—while it can add interest and energy to your design, too much clutter can be overwhelming. There is something, however, about the chaotic mix of color, shapes, and patterns that is both intriguing and visually arresting.
The Memphis design of the 80’s was a rejection of minimalism and proceeded to make designs more colorful, approachable, and arresting, allowing for more personality to shine through.
Creative scrolling
Source: creativebloq
Creative scrolling allows for a more engaging and visually interesting experience, as well as helping to direct the user’s attention to the most important content on the page. Scrolling animations can also be used to add a sense of interactivity and fun to a website.
Some common examples of creative scrolling can be seen in the parallax effect, where different layers of content move at different speeds, and in storytelling experiences where the user is guided through the content in a linear fashion.
Transitions and interactions along with animations can provide a more polished feel to scrolling. For example, appearing and disappearing elements, or changing their styles as the user scrolls can add a sense of intrigue and keep the user engaged.
Scrolling animations can be used in conjunction with traditional navigation methods such as menus or pagination. In these cases, the animated content can act as an attention-grabbing element that encourages the user to explore more of the page.
Art Deco and Linework
Source: dribbble
The Art Deco style was popularized in the 1920s and 1930s, and it’s still a popular choice for web design today. This aesthetic is characterized by its use of geometric shapes, clean lines, and bold colors.
Art Deco web designs often incorporate scrolling animations to add a sense of movement and dynamism. This can be a great way to add interest and depth to a design. However, it’s important to use scrolling animations sparingly, as too much movement can be overwhelming and distracting.
Linework is another popular design element that is often used in Art Deco web designs. This style of artwork is characterized by its use of clean, straight lines. It’s a great way to add a sense of order and structure to a design.
Websites that use Art Deco design elements often have a very polished and sophisticated look. If you’re looking to create a website that has a luxurious feel, then incorporating Art Deco design elements is a great way to do it.
Split screen layout and partially moving sections (Horizontal scrolling) web designs
Source: cameronwardux
Split screen layouts are becoming increasingly popular in web design. This type of layout allows you to divide your content into two or more sections, each with its own distinct look and feel.
One of the benefits of using a split screen layout is that it can help to add a sense of depth and dimension to your design. This can be especially effective if you use contrasting colors or background images in each section.
Another benefit of split screen layouts is that they can be used to create a more immersive experience for your users. By using partially moving sections, you can give your users the feeling that they are inside your website rather than just viewing it from the outside.
In addition, horizontal scrolling on the website can be used to draw attention to specific sections of the site. This is especially effective if you want to highlight a particular piece of content or feature on your website.
Neo-brutalism
Source: dribbble
Neo-brutalism is a movement in architecture that emerged in the 1950s and is characterized by its use of simple, block-like forms. Neo-brutalist buildings are usually made from concrete, which is left unfinished or has a rough surface.
The style was developed as a reaction to the ornate and complicated designs of the previous generation of architects. Neo-brutalists believed that buildings should be simple, functional, and affordable. This style adapted to web design translates to a focus on simplicity, functionality, and usability.
Some common features of neo-brutalist web design include:
- Simple, geometric forms
- Heavy use of typography
- Minimalist color schemes
- Lack of ornamentation or decoration
- Focus on functionality and usabilityu
Websites that have adapted this style focus on delivering content in a clear and concise manner, without any frills or extras. The goal is to make information easy to consume and understand, without any distractions.
Gender Neutral Design
Source: uxdesign
Gender neutral designs are those that don’t assign any specific gender to the user. This can be helpful for businesses or organizations that want to appeal to a wider audience, without alienating any potential customers. The first step is obviously to avoid the usage of stereotypically gendered details like, pink personal care sites or overly masculine fire-wolves-and-knives themes for auto care or camping equipment.
Standard multiple gender options are available on many sites, but they are not the only way to be inclusive. If your site has different sections that would traditionally be gendered (like women’s clothes, men’s shoes, etc.), consider reorganizing them into categories by function or activity instead (like work clothes, sportswear, dress shoes, etc.).
Conclusion
Web design trends are constantly changing, but some things never go out of style. Creating a well-designed website that is both aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly should always be your goal. This article has hopefully given you some inspiration and ideas on how to create a beautiful and effective website. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start designing!
